GRADE CROSSING SAFETY !!

[eastcoast]

THIS IS GOING TO GET SERIOUS GUYS.
[V][:(!][:(]

As a model railroader , I study the actual thing and am
APPALLED that many drivers STILL do not wait or stop
when they notice a signal or even an oncoming train in
my area. I live around a power plant rail line that sees
up to four trains a day on a single track. PEOPLE HAVE
BECOME COMPLACENT and take a big risk.
The other day, I was coming up to a crossing, and came
to a complete stop. The guy behind me had the nerve ( while
on his cellphone ) to shout me down for holding him up.
RUDE !!!! I have made it a habit to STOP completely at all
crossings whether it is marked or not. I do not want to become
a victim of my passion.
I URGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OUT THERE, if you
are not doing this already, STOP AT ALL GRADE CROSSINGS,
AND LOOK BOTH WAYS AS IF IT WERE A MAJOR INTERSECTION.
New studies are showing that aging signal equipment and
faulty error are coming into play more often.
SAVE YOUR LIFE......STOP,LOOK, LISTEN !!
And don't be the guy who was behind me.
[B)]
NO NEED TO RESPOND. KEN_ECR

[BRAKIE]

Allow me to add the fools that ride bicycles,jog and walk in front of trains.The newest local craze seems to be foot racing the trains to the crossings..I sincerely hope they know if they tie they lose.

[Anonymous]

Not a problem here, as all our crossings are fitted with automatic barriers - on some these are set off by trains passing track sensors, on others the train stops and a crew member climbs down and pushes a button lineside. Having said that, people still manage to get hit by trains while driving and while on foot. I think the general public just doesn't realise how solid and fast-moving trains are - they assume a train will be able to either stop or take evasive action like a road vehicle - neither of which are possible.

I've ridden in the brake van on a museum line round Bristol docks and seen idiots crossing the line in front of a whistling steam loco, propelling two open passenger cars and a brake van with a crewman blowing a whistle and frantically waving at them - they carried on crossing, ignoring the frantic waving and whistling, and we only just missed them. As the crew shouted to these fools at the time, "This doesn't stop on a sixpence"!

Slightly off topic, but if anyone wants to see this museum, take a look at http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk and look at the "Dockside Locations" section - the train I was riding on in the anecdote above is here: http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/images/cumberlandroad4.jpg

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eastcoast


THIS IS GOING TO GET SERIOUS GUYS.
[V][:(!][:(]

As a model railroader , I study the actual thing and am
APPALLED that many drivers STILL do not wait or stop
when they notice a signal or even an oncoming train in
my area. I live around a power plant rail line that sees
up to four trains a day on a single track. PEOPLE HAVE
BECOME COMPLACENT and take a big risk.
The other day, I was coming up to a crossing, and came
to a complete stop. The guy behind me had the nerve ( while
on his cellphone ) to shout me down for holding him up.
RUDE !!!! I have made it a habit to STOP completely at all
crossings whether it is marked or not. I do not want to become
a victim of my passion.
I URGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OUT THERE, if you
are not doing this already, STOP AT ALL GRADE CROSSINGS,
AND LOOK BOTH WAYS AS IF IT WERE A MAJOR INTERSECTION.
New studies are showing that aging signal equipment and
faulty error are coming into play more often.
SAVE YOUR LIFE......STOP,LOOK, LISTEN !!
And don't be the guy who was behind me.
[B)]
NO NEED TO RESPOND. KEN_ECR

Ken,
I have to respond...... I don't know where you live, but where I live, if everyone stopped
at crossings, it would cause not only a MAJOR traffic jam but probably some serious
accidents. Sometimes you just have to trust the grade crossing equipment. The CSX line that runs through Pensacola crosses major streets, and these streets are very busy..... now, imagine if just one person stops for "safety". This would cause a chain reaction that would effect traffic for miles. When a train comes through and people MUST stop, traffic backs up for miles. This is necessary..... stopping for no good reason is just uncalled for. I understand school buses and community transportation vehicles, they have liability issues, but for everyone to stop, when the gates are up, would not be practical. Dave

[Anonymous]

You statement is so true.
I have been saying the same thing for far too long.
That's why I am going to say this.....
From now on I will say this for no more reasons I will not care about Railroad safety.
The Railroads & the Government have tryed to teach the public the do's & don'ts about RR safety but for some reason the word IS NOT GETTING THROUGH.
Sorry for being so negative but it is the TRUTH!

[Anonymous]

Unfortunatley, the lacadasical attitude that exists about grade crossing safety has also taken another twist. People actually think that it's the trains fault that they get hit! There was a web side (www.csxsucks.com currently down for rebuilding) where people griped about CSX, and posted pictures like "look what CSX did to my husbands truck!" Unbelievable! These misguided souls actually act like they were attacked by the train!!! [:0]
Nutty huh?
Like Larry the cable guy says "If yer ever attacked by a train, do this!" ( as he takes a large step sideways!)[(-D]